The Barnstable girls varsity volleyball team has already been crowned Old Colony League champs for 2011, but now they’ve got their sights set on a loftier goal: their 14th MIAA Div. 1 South title, and possibly their eighth State trophy.

On Nov. 12 the girls travel to Pembroke to compete in their 14th Div. 1 South championship, earned this week after the Raiders soundly defeated Walpole and New Bedford with scores of 3-0 in each match.

Having claimed the top seed earlier this month thanks to their stellar 18-0 regular season record, the Red Raiders played host to both teams, the No. 8 seed Walpole on Nov. 7 and No. 4 New Bedford on Nov. 9.

Walpole put in a solid effort, but was no match for the mighty Raiders, whose aggressive play and unwavering focus led to a three-game 25-13, 25-20 and 25-20 sweep to advance to the semifinals against New Bedford.

Kaylee Deluga recorded 10 kills against Walpole, as well as three service aces and an impressive 17 digs, while Kayla Crook continued to make history by adding another 37 assists to her 1000+ career total.

After falling behind 4-2 at the start of Game 1, the Raiders roared into action, soaring to a 15-7 lead from which they never looked back.

Barnstable again trailed briefly in the second game, but quickly regrouped, launching into a 6-point run to gain a 13-7 edge that led to the 25-20 win.

The evening’s final game was closer than the Red Raiders might have liked for a while, with Walpole leading 10-7, but the undaunted Raiders fought back to a solid 18-13 lead and, ultimately, victory.

Barnstable was in top form against New Bedford in the semifinals, recording another sweep with scores of 25-10, 25-17, and 25-12 to advance to the finals.

Barnstable blasted into the night by taking a 9-2 lead in the first game, with kills from Bristol and Kaylee Deluga capping off the opener.

Game 2 began with the Raiders netting an 8-3 edge before New Bedford battled back, earning a short-lived 13-12 lead. It was the only time the Whalers would have an edge all night, as Barnstable came back to triumph on kills from Kaylee Deluga and Lynne Hibbard.

The night’s final game was highlighted by stellar play from Cole, Bristol and Deluga, who proved a leader with her game-high 15 kills, two aces, and 17 digs.

Reflecting on his team’s successful week, Barnstable head coach Tom Turco, in his 24th season as head coach, praised their efforts but noted that improvements can be made.

“They played with a lot if energy, which is vital at this time of the year,” Turco said. “We did a lot of things right but we still need to work on some areas of the game.”

Turco said that the benefit of single-elimination tournaments is that teams are forced to focus on the moment, rather than the future.

“Honestly there is no time to think about it,” Turco said of a possible 14th Div. 1 title. “The only thing on the minds of the coaches and players in this program is how to best prepare for the next match. Single elimination tournaments create an environment of total focus on the present.”

That doesn’t mean Turco doesn’t have high hopes for his players.

“This team created a bond by developing a set of mutually agreed upon ‘team’ goals,” he said. “They understand the work ethic that it entails and they share in the sacrifice that is needed to give them the best chance to achieve them.”

Barnstable travels to Pembroke for the MIAA Div. 1 finals, against the winner of the North Attleboro/Brockton game that was taking place at press time Nov. 10. The finals are set to start at 5 p.m. Nov. 12.